Martin Wong
Chinatown USA is Martin Wong's attempt to create a record of Chinatown drawn from his childhood memories. Wong, raised in Chinatown in San Francisco tries to authentically and accurately record what he remembers; for what is exotic to many was normal childhood life to Wong. Wong likes to think of this series as a body of work created during the 1930s, when American Social Realism was at its peak, and recently found neglected and overlooked in an attic or basement. The rich color and detail, the black lacquers and vibrant gold leaf, bring to life a part of America not before documented and in many ways no longer exists.
Martin Wong
Wong Family Benevolent Association, 1990
acrylic on linen
60 x 74 ins.
152.4 x 188 cm
Martin Wong
Canal Street, 1992
acrylic on canvas
72 x 96 ins.
182.9 x 243.8 cm
Martin Wong
Clones of Bruce Lee, 1992
acrylic on linen
45 x 55 ins.
114.3 x 139.7 cm
Martin Wong
Ms. Chinatown, 1992
acrylic on canvas
48 x 96 ins.
121.9 x 243.8 cm
Martin Wong
Saturday Night, 1992
acrylic on linen
30 x 45 1/2 ins.
76.2 x 115.6 cm
Martin Wong
Chinese New Year's Parade, 1992-94
acrylic on linen
84 x 120 1/2 ins.
213.4 x 306.1 cm
Martin Wong
Bruce Lee in the Afterworld, 1991
acrylic on canvas
72 x 48 1/4 ins.
182.9 x 122.6 cm
Martin Wong
Nam Kue Chinese School, 1992
acrylic on linen
72 x 30 ins.
182.9 x 76.2 cm
Martin Wong
Mei Lang-Fang, 1992
acrylic on linen
96 x 42 ins.
243.8 x 106.7 cm
Martin Wong
Grant Avenue, San Francisco, 1992
acrylic on canvas
108 x 42 ins.
274.3 x 106.7 cm
Martin Wong
In the Studio, 1992
acrylic on linen
30 x 30 ins.
76.2 x 76.2 cm
Martin Wong
Kato, 1992
acrylic on linen
diameter: 48 ins.
129.1 cm